Nurses' Experiences of Humour in Clinical Settings Publisher



Dehghannayeri N¹ ; Ghaffari F² ; Shali M³
Source: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Published:2015

Abstract

Background: Providing holistic nursing care when there is a shortage of personnel and equipment exposes nurses to stress and a higher risk of occupational burnout. Humour can promote nurses' health and influence nursing care. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of humour in clinical settings and factors affecting it. Design: This qualitative study investigated nurses' experiences of humour. Settings: Five hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences provided the setting for this study. Participants: The participants comprised 17 nurses with Master's and Baccalaureate degrees (BSN) in nursing. These nurses worked at teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences and had minimum work experience of 12. months in various clinical wards. Nurses from all wards were invited to participate in the study. Method: Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews using an interview guide with probing questions. In order to further enrich the data, telephonic interviews were also conducted. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis. Results: The data were classified into four themes including the dynamics of humour, restrictions, instrumental use of humour and humour as an opportunity for change. Conclusions: Understanding nurses' perceptions and experiences of humour helps identify contributing factors and provides valuable guidelines regarding enhancing nurses' and patients' mental, emotional, and physical health. Spreading a culture of humour through teaching methods aimed at improving workplace cheerfulness and highlighting the importance of humour in patient care to nurses and nursing students are among effective strategies in this regard. © 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.